COVID ‘likely growing’ in Washington DC and 12 states, CDC estimates

COVID-19 infections are now likely to increase in at least 12 states and the District of Columbia, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated Friday, as health officials monitor for signs. the virus could start to accelerate again after a spring lull.

Based on data analyzed by the agency from emergency room visits, CDC modeling suggests that COVID-19 infections are increasing in Alaska, Arizona, California, Washington D.C., Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, Oregon, Texas and Washington State. .

This increase comes as almost all regions of the country remain at “low” or “minimal” levels of what is called “respiratory disease activity” by CDC criteria, similar to slowdowns in previous years in the spread of COVID-19 in the spring and early days. summer.

On average, 0.3% of emergency room patients through May 10 were diagnosed with COVID-19 nationwide, well below last summer’s peak of nearly 3%. end of August. Reported COVID-19 cases in nursing homes also remain near record lows nationwide.

Preliminary data from the CDC’s COVID-19 wastewater surveillance also estimates that virus levels remain “minimal” nationally, although virus levels appear to be trending upward in sewer ponds from West.

The dominant strains of the virus currently circulating are known as KP.2 and KP.1.1, informally nicknamed the “FLiRT” variants. Health officials said both strains are closely related to the JN.1 variant from last winter’s surge, except for two minor changes that could allow them to spread.

A CDC spokesperson said May 10 that the agency does not believe the variants are “causing an increase in infections because transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is low.”

“Based on current data, there is no indicator that KP.2 would cause more severe disease than other strains. CDC will continue to monitor community transmission of the virus and the effectiveness of vaccines against this strain “said the spokesperson.